Thursday, May 28, 2009

Our landlord finally approved us to paint over the horrible mint green paint in Elizabeth's room. Honestly the color wasn't horrible but just very cold and didn't match her stuff. So with the long weekend and a lot of indoor time, we decided to partake in some painting. It started off as my project but quickly turned into a family project.

I am really happy with the results and Elizabeth loves it. I think I might change the green stripe to a different green but that all depends on how energetic I am. I am also planning on making a headboard for her bed next.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Yesterday was the 24th annual Gate to Gate Run on base. This his held every year on Memorial Day and all of the runners are given roses to place on the memorial that the base has. There are also several other memorials along the route. Mike, along with some other good friends of ours, ran it with astounding results! Sadly, I decided not to run this time so I could have a little more recovery time from my surgery but I sure did enjoy cheering them on as they crossed the finish line. Way to go guys! I am so proud of you!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

We are now on our third day of rain and it is predicted to rain for 7 more. Ugghh! With that, you have to get creative with child entertainment and just take advantage of the elements. I figure not having a pool, means you just get to play in the puddles, right?

The kids are just like a wet dog after a bath - they get all frisky and wild when we let them play in the rain. I wish I had grabbled the camera a little earlier because I missed Elizabeth and AJ in motion.

I was able to grab one of AJ blowing bubble in the rain and seeing if the rain drops would pop them. Jacob tried blowing bubbles of his own but had more fun running into the bubbles.

And of course you gotta try some scooter riding in the rain! This lasted right up until the point he accidently ran over a worm and that just tramatized him to see a worm cut in two still wiggling. Ahh, the lessons of life.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Thursday, May 14, 2009

So, I am feeling really guilty that it has taken me so long to get this post up but - oh well - better late than never, right?.

Anyway, Elizabeth wanted to run a race on her birthday so it was off to the races for us early that morning. She was so excited to strut her stuff with Gamma watching. I ran the 5K first thing and Elizabeth ran her 1 mile right after the 5K was over. Mike was nice enough to be support for both of us as he ran with me and then ran with Elizabeth.

I was disappointed with my race because there were some hills that I just wasn't expecting and they kicked my butt! I had to stop and walk up the last hill which really disappointed me but I guess there is always next year to overcome those obstacles.

Elizabeth did great and I was so proud of her. I made the mistake of sending her in shoes that she hadn't run in before so she had some sore feet that she had to stop and adjust midway through but otherwise did wonderful and I think had a lot of fun.

After the race it was back home for a little bit of rest time for the kids. Shortly there after my mom and I left for the park to go set up for AJ and Elizabeth's birthday luau.

Elizabeth practiced her hula dancing before her guests arrived. Once everyone arrived, the girls donned their hula skirts and the boys added their cool man sunglasses and did a little hula. The boys were not into the hula but the girls really got into it.

We went a couple rounds with limbo that the kids got some laughs and giggles from.

AJ quickly learned that it was so much easier just to crawl under the limbo stick. What a little stinker!Then it was off to play for a little while before doing some crafts. We made visors with luau type decals.

And then of course there was cake and followed by present opening.

AJ and Elizabeth made out like little bandits. I know we are going to have a lot of fun this summer with all of the craft activities as well as all of the outside toys that they got. Everyone is so generous!

The kids had a blast and I hope our guests did. That night we came home and played for a little while before we all crashed in our beds from exhaustion. What a day!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

So, I got really tired of looking at my hideous face so I had to throw some pictures of the kiddos on their new and wonderful swing set. I am really hoping this will help me to save my sanity over the summer. Actually I am pretty sure this along with the outdoor water toys will get a great deal of use!

Anyway, on with the pics, right?

Oh yeah - I am doing much better. The splints, cast and stitches all came off and out today. The swelling isn't too bad and the bruising is hardly there. I must say that I still feel really nauseous all of the time but hopefully time will be the cure for that. Best of all I can breathe again - hallelujah!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

This is the question that I have been asking myself a lot over the past few days. I am 3 days post-op today and am still wondering why anyone would willingly put themselves through a surgery like this.

Why did this have to happen in the first place? Am I really that accident prone or does someone just have it out for me?

For those of you that don't know or remember - yep, Jacob broke my nose for a second time about 2 months ago and I had to go in to have things put back where they belong. Fun stuff - let me tell you!!!

Why does it hurt so much? Well, I guess I can answer that one. A hammer to the face just isn't going to feel good, right?

Why does my my neck and back hurt so much if the surgery was on my nose?

Macrophage Activation Syndrome

After a long struggle in the hospital and a lot of uncertainty, I have recently been diagnosed with a very rare blood disorder called MAS. I am currently receiving chemotherapy and high doses of steroids as part of my treatment. The doctors are uncertain if the end treatment will be a bone marrow transplant or not.

If you would like to follow that aspect of my life, you can find all of the juicy details here.

Also, I would like to encourage you to consider registering with the National Bone Marrow Registry here. It is a very easy process.

Thank you to everyone for all of your support and prayers.

About Me

I have three beautiful children and am married to a wonderful husband and devoted father. Before my "journey" with HLH began, I worked as a nurse and turned my hobby of photography into a business. I created memories for families using the beauty of natural light and the amazing landscape of the Emerald Coast of Florida. Currently my focus is solely on my recovery and cure so that I can be here to share many more years of love and memories with my family and friends.